Worth every penny... Review on Not A Penny More Not A Penny Less - Jeffrey Archer

Jeffery Archer’s ‘Not a penny more, not a penny less’, can best be described as a very pleasurable book to read. Its one of those ‘Feel good’ books, which are very gratifying to reader.

At the outset, the storyline seems to revolve around Harvey Metcalfe, a self-made millionaire and swindler extraordinaire, who does not think twice before pulling a hoax, which could affect the lives of thousands of people. However, the true ‘Heroes’ of the story, are four such affected people who wind up losing all their money on one of Metcalfe’s mastermind scams, a Mathematics professor bordering on genius, a white-collared doctor with a successful family practice, a French art dealer and a handsome, philandering but penniless ‘Lord’.

The story takes a mirthful turn when these four characters get together and resolve to get back from their Swindler, every single penny he stole from them, Hence the title, ‘Not a penny more, not a penny less.’ How they go about doing so, and whether they succeed in their design or not, forms rest of the story. The marvelous plots and meticulous planning that goes into each one of their ventures and the nail biting suspense enshrouding the execution of those plans makes a very good read.

However, the one part that did not sit well with me is that, in the beginning, the character of Harvey Metcalfe has been etched out as an extra-ordinarily cunning and shrewd businessman. So, later on it feels a bit far-fetched to see four men prey upon him successively, without his ever realizing that he is being taken to the cleaners. If you ignore that one part, the book is perfectly enjoyable.

The author has attempted and succeeded in delivering an excellent story loosely based on the age-old maxim ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’ and it gives a completely new meaning to the phrase ‘Don’t get mean, get even’. But despite it all, the cherry on the cake, is the climax, which is what maketh the whole experience truly hilarious and the book, as I said, ‘a pleasure to read’.